I've tried using this cable to connect various external hard drives, but it doesn't work with any of my three USB 3.0 powered external hard drives. I figured the cable might be too long to support a USB3.0 connection, so I tried using a USB3.0 Passport WD hard drive cable, bringing the total length from drive to laptop to around 7-8 feet and it works for a few minutes and then all of a sudden I'm getting shutdown messages. I've tried using it with a USB 2.0 drive and the same thing happens.